96 THE MONK. 



where the quiet tenor of man's life is unbroken, and where creation 

 herself refuses to smile in the garish sunbeam, that the chilling win- 

 ter of the soul, the never-brightening hopelessness of the spirit, can 

 be felt. It is there that the lone heart can dwell on the remem- 

 brance of joys for ever gone, and cherish sorrows never to be 

 effaced. 



" The home of Paulina was situated near a celebrated German wa- 

 tering-place, much frequented by the idle and curious, as well as 

 the genuine admirers of natural scenery in all its diversities of subli- 

 mity and beauty. The ennueed voluptuary who seeks change merely 

 to relieve his satiety — the follower of pleasure in its most alluring 

 forms — the votary of gay revelry and thoughtless dissipation — the 

 slave of the burning excitement of the hazard-table, with its seduc- 

 tive concomitants — all these resorted to B , and there found 



opportunities of gratifying their several pursuits. One season, 

 among the visitors was the Count de Vegnet, an Italian nobleman 

 of high rank and reputed wealth. He did not enter into the lighter 

 amusements of the place, but he played constantly and deeply. 

 This man became acquainted with Paulina, and professed to enter- 

 tain for her the most violent passion. She had lately inherited 

 a considerable property and might be considered an heiress. This 

 circumstance probably, in a great measure influenced his conduct, 

 and determined his choice ; for a mind, vitiated and sensualized, like 

 his, could not feel that pure and holy sentiment which sanctifies the 

 altar of love. His offering could only be made to the temple of 



passion, or on the shrine of avarice. Before leaving B , he 



made honourable proposals of marriage to Paulina. Her first im- 

 pulse was to reject him, but the wishes and commands of her pa- 

 rents, added to the apparent splendour of the alliance, at length 

 prevailed over her scruples. She consented to become his wife. 



"After their marriage the count and his lovely countess returned to 

 the vicinity of Naples, where his estates were situated; and, for 

 sometime, Paulina was absorbed in a gay series of pleasures and en- 

 joyments. Every thing seemed bright. But alas I she soon learned 

 that pomp and pageant, of themselves, are insufficient to secure 

 happiness. She soon found, that in the dazzling halls and amid 

 the blaze of princely magnificence, pangs of lonely wretchedness 

 might be felt — that beneath the jewelled tiara and the spangled 

 zone, a burning brain might throb, and a bleeding heart might 

 pulsate. De Vegnet had hitherto appeared under false colours. 

 He had disguised his real sentiments and opinions in order to ac- 

 complish an end. Having done this, and having obtained the pos- 



